From the Chief: Local robberies - Tips to keep you and your business safe

During the holidays, I wish I could say that crime in Ukiah also took a holiday. Sadly, it was just the opposite.

On Dec. 20, a 50-year-old man on parole from state prison robbed a 50-year-old woman with a knife, demanding her money in the Pear Tree Center parking lot. With great courage, this woman screamed for help and the suspect fled the scene. A few minutes later the same suspect tried to kidnap a 60-year-old woman and steal her car at knifepoint, while Ukiah police officers were responding to the scene of the first robbery.

Luckily, our officers responded quickly and were able to locate and arrest the suspect while he was committing the second robbery.

Just six days later, a 21-year gang member placed a gun to the chest of a 19-year-old male near the intersection of Mason and Norton Streets. The victim was forced to his knees and the suspect robbed him of his phone and backpack. Just a few minutes later, the same suspect pointed his gun at a 26-year-old female near the intersection of N. Bush Street and Empire Drive, and demanded her purse. Before the female could react, the suspect hit the female in the back of her head with the pistol and took her purse.

This suspect was arrested a day later for similar robberies in Willits.

On Jan. 8, a 32-year-old male (who was on probation from Sonoma County for serious weapon violations and on probation from Mendocino County for drug-related offenses) entered the Rite Aid store at the intersection of S. State and Gobbi Streets and robbed the store of two televisions. The store manager tried to stop the suspect, but the suspect hit the manager and threw him to the ground. Our officers were able to apprehend this suspect, who was also in possession of dangerous methamphetamine drugs.

And, while these robberies have been occurring in Ukiah, a new disturbing robbery trend has been reported close to us in the San Francisco Bay Area.

There, it seems, the forceful taking of people's smart phones has become a disturbing problem. Criminals have started to take advantage of people whose attention is distracted by talking on their smart phones. While a victim innocently talks on the phone, criminals are now approaching them and snatching their phones from their hands. Law enforcement is reporting that the trend is to attack women or young and old people who are less likely to defend themselves.

During the last four years, our patrol staff has been reduced by budget cuts while calls for police services continue to increase. Despite our reduced numbers, our police officers are working hard to solve crimes quickly when they occur. Although, we have less officers on the street, we want everyone to have information important to help protect themselves from crime.

Now more than ever, it seems as though violent attacks and robberies are on the increase. In light of these recent attacks in our community, I thought some tips on how to prevent robberies from occurring, and how to protect yourself and your employees from robbery violence were important to review.

Robbery prevention tips:

While robbery is less common than other crimes against businesses, the potential for loss can be much greater from a single incident. Also, robbery that involves force or threat of force and can result in serious injury or death.

? Greet every person who enters the business in a friendly manner. Personal contact can discourage a would-be criminal.

? Keep windows clear of displays or signs and make sure your business is well-lighted. Check the layout of your store, eliminating any blind spots

that may hide a robbery in progress.

? Provide information about your security systems to employees only on a "need-to-know" basis. Instruct your employees to report any suspicious

activity or person immediately and write down the information for future reference.

? Look for suspicious activity; most robbers will "scope out" an establishment prior to an incident.

? Place cash registers in the front section of the store. This increases the chances of someone spotting a robbery in progress and reporting it to

the police.

? Keep small amounts of cash in the register to reduce losses. Use a drop safe into which large bills and excess cash are dropped by employees and

cannot be retrieved by them. Post signs alerting would-be robbers of this procedure.

? Make bank deposits often and during business hours. Don't establish a pattern, take different routes at different times during the day.

? Ask local law enforcement what to do in case you are robbed. Make sure your address is visible so emergency vehicles can easily find your business.

If you or your employees are confronted by a robber, cooperate. Merchandise and cash can always be replaced - people can't!

Robbery safety tips:

Be professional when dealing with a robbery.

? Your life and safety are worth more than money.

? Make sure that every staff member knows and has thought about what they would do in the event of a robbery.

? Develop a set of procedures to follow.

? Aim to ensure the offender leaves without harming anyone.

Note: Most robberies take less than one minute!

Survival tips:

? Stay calm;

? Do what you are told;

? Consider all firearms to be real and loaded;

? Carefully note the offenders' description, but don't stare;

? If it is safe, note the direction the offenders go and the vehicle description and license number;

? As soon as the offenders leave, dial 911;

? Provide Dispatch with:

1. Direction of travel;

2. Suspect, clothing and vehicle descriptions;

3. What was taken.

? Stop people entering the area used by the offenders, by locking the doors until the police arrive;

? Ask witnesses to wait until police arrive and speak with them;

? Do not touch or handle notes, counters, or other materials a robber may have touched;

? If there is time before police arrive, ask everyone to write down a description of the offenders and their vehicle.

Please!

? Don't play the hero;

? Don't resist;

? Don't make sudden movements, talk to, or stare at the offenders;

? Don't chase the offenders;

? Don't touch anything the offenders may have touched.

On the Ukiah Police Department website (www.ukiahpolice.com), we have posted these tips which you can use for securing your business and training your staff. In addition, our officers are always available to help if you'd like to review how to make a business safer, or train your staff in robbery procedures.

As always, our mission at UPD is simple: to make Ukiah as safe as possible. If you have any suggestions or comments about how we can improve, please feel free to call me, complete our online survey, or leave a crime tip on our website: www.ukiahpolice.com.